Celtic Interconnector

The Celtic Interconnector is a 700MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine power cable under construction between the southern coast of Ireland and the north-west coast of France. It will be the first such interconnector between the two countries.

Trial operation is planned to commence in 2026.

The director general of EirGrid stated in 2022 that the interconnector was arguably "the most important Irish infrastructure project for this decade".

Route
The cable is due to run between the Knockraha substation in County Cork, Ireland, to the La Martyre substation in Finistère, France.

Of its total length of 575 km, 500 km will pass through Irish, British and French waters of the Celtic Sea.

Technical specification
The electrical interconnector, which will be the first between the two countries, has a planned capacity of 700MW.

The project also includes plans for a direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and France.

Project promoters
The project is a joint venture between the Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid and French TSO Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) for the purpose of improving security of supply, reducing consumer electricity costs and supporting the development of renewable energy.

Project economics
In 2016 the interconnector had an initial expected cost of €1billion.

, the interconnector was expected to cost €1.6billion. According to the then Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, "The Celtic Interconnector will bring tangible benefits to the citizens of both France and Ireland by promoting the use of renewable energy, bringing down electricity prices, and helping ensure security of energy supply".

Project history
In July 2016, after completion of a feasibility study the two countries agreed to proceed with a two-year planning phase. This included an economic assessment, environmental considerations and will determine the placement of the cable and onshore stations, while a decision initially due on the project is foreseen for 2020 or 2021. In May 2018, the project was granted a foreshore license to begin marine surveys for the potential landing sites at Ballinwilling, Claycastle and Redbarn beaches, County Cork.

In 2018, the project was given preliminary approval for European Investment Bank funding as part of preparations by Ireland for Brexit, for €530million.

By 2019, the project had been designated a European Project of Common Interest as part of the European Super Grid.

Three potential landing sites on the Cork coast were identified and six locations (Ballyadam, Leamlara, Knockraha, Pigeon Hill, Kilquane and Ballyvatta) were under consideration for the HVDC converter station.

By 2019, due to the potential impact of Brexit on electricity trading over the existing Ireland – UK HVDC interconnectors, planning for the Celtic Interconnector had accelerated.

In December 2020, EirGrid and RTE signed a €520million European Commission funding agreement for the Celtic Interconnector.

As of 2021, the cable was expected to be operational in line with the original schedule, by 2026. In August 2021, the project was at step five in the planning process and was expected to continue until 2022.

In May 2022, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the onshore portion of the project while in August 2022, the Department for Housing Local Government and Heritage granted the project a foreshore licence, an important permit for the undersea work involved.

On 14 September 2022, the UK Marine Management Organisation granted a licence for the project to proceed. This was the last major license required before Step 6 construction could start in late 2022.

In November 2022, final construction and finance agreements were signed off by the Irish and French governments at the Irish embassy in Paris with the interconnector "due to be completed and operational by 2026".

In October 2023 RTE had started work in La Martyre on the converter station there called Ar Merzher. The converter station is scheduled to be completed by 2026.